Enhanced knee joint treatment using a hybrid hyaluronic acid-alginate filler reinforced with hydroxyapatite-titanium nanoparticles for sports-related injuries

Abstract

Sports injuries, particularly bone injuries, have become increasingly prevalent in recent years. As athletes push themselves harder and become more competitive, the risk of injury rises. Additionally, the aging population has contributed to the increased prevalence of bone injuries, including those related to the knee joint. As a result, significant research efforts have focused on developing new techniques for knee joint repair. In this study, a novel hyaluronic acid-Alginate filler composition containing hydroxyapatite-titanium nanoparticles (HA/Ti-NPs) was prepared through freeze-drying. The crystalline properties of the porous scaffolds were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), while scanning electron microscope (SEM) images were used to visualize the scaffold structure. The morphological investigation demonstrated that adding 15 wt% Ti-NP to the scaffold reduces percentages of porosity to about 76.5 ± 5, while increasing the elastic modulus. Furthermore, the presence of nanoparticles decreased the rate of degradation, increased crystallinity, reduced pore size, and promoted calcium release, creating a favorable environment for bone tissue growth. The scaffold's degradation pH is close to neutral, which is ideal for bone tissue treatment. Adding 15 wt% Ti-NP reduces the contact angle from 120° to 93°. The composite scaffolds promote the proliferation and growth of osteoblast cells, and after 48 h, degraded material improved cell viability, growth, and proliferation. The three-component hyaluronic acid-Alginate/HA scaffolds with 15 wt% Ti-NP exhibited suitable morphological, mechanical, physical, and chemical properties for bone applications, as well as high potential for joint bonding. These porous scaffolds have the potential to be used as bone fillers of sport injuries and further research is needed to confirm their efficacy.

Keywords

• Hyaluronic acid
• Sport injuries
• Titanium nanoparticles
• Knee Joint
• Scaffold morphology
• Osteoblast cell proliferation